The Bhopal gas tragedy of 1984 was one of the worst industrial disasters, releasing 27 tons of methyl isocyanate gas from a Union Carbide pesticide plant in Bhopal, India. Over 500,000 people were exposed to the toxic gas, resulting in over 20,000 deaths initially and over 120,000 people continuing to suffer health issues. The accident was caused by lapses in safety management at the plant, which exposed the surrounding areas to hazardous chemicals and contaminated the soil and water supply for decades.

1. Bhopal GasBhopal Gas
TragedyTragedy

2. PreviewPreview
Amongst the worst Industrial Disasters of itsAmongst the worst Industrial Disasters of its
time.time.
Occurrence: 3rd
December 1984.
Place of occurrence: Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India.
Company: Union Carbide Corporation.
Chemical: Methyl Isocyanate (27 tons)

3. Among the 500,000 people exposed to the gas, 20,000
have died till date and 120,000 continue to suffer
devastating health effects as a result of their exposure.

4. Bhopal ScenarioBhopal Scenario
Union CarbideCorporation

5. Union Carbide CorporationUnion Carbide Corporation
Started in 1969 in Bhopal
Phosgene, Monomethlyamine, Methyl
Isocyanate (MIC) and the pesticide Carbaryl,
also known as Sevin.
Taken over by DOW Chemicals in 2001.
DOW refused Union Carbide’s Liabilities in
Bhopal, India.

6. Toxic Materials in Soil and WaterToxic Materials in Soil and Water

7. Gas Vent Scrubber Gas Vent Scrubber Stack

8. Effects on Human HealthEffects on Human Health
 Respiratory Disorders – Irritation to thelungs, causing coughing and/or
shortnessof breathing. Higher exposurecaused build up of fluids
(pulmonary edema). CausedAsthama.
 Cancer Hazard – Caused mutation (genetic changes). It caused cancer.
 ReproductiveHazard – Association between exposureto Methyl
Isocyanateand miscarriages. It may damagethegrowing fetus. May also
affect fertility in men and women.
 Tracesof many toxinswerefound in theBrest Milk of mothersand were
in turn transmitted to therecipient babies.

9. Animal SlaughterAnimal Slaughter

10. Methyl IsocyanateMethyl Isocyanate
Physical and Chemical CharacteristicsPhysical and Chemical Characteristics
 Methyl Isocyanate (C2H3NO)
 Liquid form
 Volatile
 Colourless
 Strong, sharp odour
 Flash Point – -7o
C
 Molecular weight: 57.05 daltons
 Boiling point (760 mm Hg): 102ºF (39.1ºC)
 Freezing point: -49ºF
 Vapor pressure: 348 mm Hg at 68ºF (20ºC)
 Vapor density: 1.42 (air = 1.00)
 Water solubility: Reactive 6.7% at 68ºF (20ºC)
 Flammability: Highly flammable
 Flammable Range: 5.3% to 26% (concentration in air)

11. Reason for CitationReason for Citation
 Methyl Isocyanate is on the Hazardous Substances List and is
regulated by OSHA and cited by ACGIH, DOT, EPA and others.
 Is on the Special Health Hazard Substance List because it is
flammable and reactive.

12. Emergency InformationEmergency Information
Hazard Rating NJDHSS NFPA
Flammability
Reactivity
-
-
3
2
Flammableand Reactive
Poison Inhalation Hazard
Do not usewater
PoisionousGasesareproduced in fire
Containersmay explodein fire
Hazard Rating Key: 0-minimal, 1-slight, 2-moderate, 3-serious, 4-
severe

13. S.No Chemical Amount Use in factory Nature of original pollution
1 Methylene Chloride 100 MT Solvent Air
2 Methanol 50 MT Solvent Air
3 Ortho-idichlorobenzene 500 MT Solvent Air, Water, Soil
4 Carbon tetrachloride 500 MT Solvent Air
5 Chloroform 300 MT Solvent Air
6 Tri methylamine 50 MT Catalyst Air
7 Chloro benzyl chloride 10 MT Ingredient Air, Water, Soil
8 Mono chloro toluene 10 MT Ingredient Air, Water, Soil
9 Toluene 20 MT Ingredient Air, Water, Soil
10 Aldicarb 2 MT Product Air, Water, Soil
11 Carbaryl 50 MT Product Air, Water, Soil
12 Benzene Hexachloride 5 MT Ingredient Air, Water, Soil
13 Mercury 1 MT Water, Soil
14 Mono methyl amine 25 MT Ingredient Air
15 Chlorine 20 MT Ingredient Air
16 Phosgene 5 MT Ingredient Air
17 Hydro chloric acid 50 MT Ingredient Air, Soil
18 Chloro sulphonic acid 50 MT Ingredient Air, Soil
19 Alpha Naphthol * 50 MT Ingredient Air, Soil
20 Napthalin 50 MT Ingredient Air
21 Chemical waste Tar 50 MT Waste Water, Soil
22 Methyl Isocyanate 5 MT Ingredient Air, Water, Soil
Chemicals Dumped by Union Carbide in Bhopal

14. Haphazard dumping of HazardousHaphazard dumping of Hazardous
MaterialMaterial

15. Toxic Materials in Soil and WaterToxic Materials in Soil and Water
Benzene, oxybis 7, 890
Dichlorobenzenes 87,500
Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons 2,340
Phthalates 9,940
Trichlorobenzenes 9,410
Trimethyl Trianzintrione 24,470
1-Napthalenol 59,090
Units in parts per billion (ppb)
Additionally, Dichlorobenzenes and Trichlorobenzenes were
found in the soil and water samples.

16. Toxic Materials in Soil and WaterToxic Materials in Soil and Water
Lead, Nickel, Copper, Chromium, Hexachlorocyclohexane and
chlorobenzenes were found in soil samples.
Mercury was found to be between 20,000 to 6,000,000 times the
standard level in soil.

17. Compensation and Legal AspectsCompensation and Legal Aspects
Compensation of $470 million ($500 per
dead).
Twenty years of passiveness.
Case was reviewed and put up in
American Court.
DOW Refused Union Carbide’s
Liabilities in Bhopal, India.

18. 20,000 KILLED
120,000 SEVERELY AFFECTED
…And you thought only weapons
could cause Mass Destruction